Batman’s beginning

Despite the fact that all the media attention was on Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise, moviegoers actually realized a film was somewhere behind the hoopla and sent

Batman Begins to the top spot in North America this weekend with an estimated $46.9 million opening. Filmgoers also continued their scientific examination of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. In their attempts to ascertain if there was off-screen chemistry between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, they added another $27.3 million to last week’s topper.

Madagascar continued to attract families with $11.1 million while Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith and The Longest Yard rounded out the top five with $9.7 million and $8 million respectively. Teen idol Hilary Duff’s The Perfect Man debuted in seventh with $5.5 million.